[2021 New Start⑫] 'Name Change Rookie' Park Bogyeom "Taking Over the Tour with Long Drives"

2019 Name Change from 'Park Jinha', Entered Dream Tour Top 10 Prize Money Division 1, 250m Long Hitter "Aiming for Rookie of the Year"

Rookie Park Bo-gyeom challenges for the title of 'Next Generation Long Drive Queen' on the KLPGA Tour.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] "Expect refreshing and bold play."

Park Bo-gyeom (23, Hana Financial Group), a rookie on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour, is a long hitter who can drive over 250 meters. "My hardware is naturally good, so my driver average is about 240 meters," she boasts, "If I really want to, I can hit over 250 meters." She added, "I don't try to hit far unconditionally," emphasizing, "It's important to play smartly by choosing the right strategy that fits the hole rather than just focusing on distance."

Park Bo-gyeom was introduced to golf after immigrating to Saipan at the age of 10. She explained, "I found it attractive that I could send a small ball in the direction and distance I wanted." To learn golf seriously, she persuaded her parents and returned to Korea at age 15. In 2017, she achieved decent results on the Jump (3rd tier) Tour and became a full member. Since 2018, she has been building her career on the Dream (2nd tier) Tour.

After two years without notable results on the Dream Tour, she changed her name from 'Park Jin-ha' to 'Park Bo-gyeom' in 2019. Last August, at the Muan CC·All For You Dream Tour 11th event, she recorded scores in the 60s over three days and tasted the joy of her first career victory. She entered the top 10 five times in 17 Dream Tour tournaments and secured a regular tour card by finishing 10th in prize money (50.92 million KRW). She is regarded as the 'next-generation long hitter queen,' following Park Sung-hyun (28) and Kim Ah-rim (26, SBI Savings Bank).

Not only her drive shots but also her iron shots are excellent. She ranks 6th in greens in regulation (83.47%). This is why Hana Financial Group has sponsored her from her debut year. Last winter, she underwent winter training for five weeks in Gangjin, Jeollanam-do. She practiced diligently from 9 a.m. until sunset. "I am confident in my physical strength, to the point that I was called 'Park Strong' when I was young," she said, "I checked various shots to tackle courses and greens that are difficult to set up."

She also has an interesting routine. Before teeing off, she gargles with water to clear her mind. She always listens to three songs while showering in the morning. Sometimes, she eats ice cream right after the first round. "I practiced and worked hard to show a good performance," said Park Bo-gyeom, expressing her bold determination: "I want to play consistently without any cutoffs this season, and I will also aim for the Rookie of the Year, which is considered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."